Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

Show Your ❤️ to a Small Business - Chicagoland & Cyber

Purple Star emoji 13 items
Where do you go and who do you hire when you want to support small businesses? I've tried to do a variety of businesses that really cross a lot of potential needs - from electricians, to tailors, to boutiques.
Map
Sections
2
 
 

Retail Businesses

Are you looking for perfume, clothes, comic books, a new vacuum or anything else I feel compelled to share with you?

 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
Long-standing neighborhood store. If you like both local, national and Europan brands of Apothecary products in a vintage setting (think Apothecary shelves, glass cases, dark wood), you will love this place. It's packed full of oils, lotions, perfume...
Merz Apothecary | Chicago
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
Cute and eclectic woman-owned boutique with colorful clothing, adorable jewelry, and accessories. They also carry some indie perfume brands from fellow small businesses. Friendly, lively, and delightful/ They sometimes hold special events.
Squasht Boutique
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
Hands-down my favorite bookstore. You can have any book you want ordered or you can find it in stock. They are a go-to resource for women-centric topic areas; and also hold special events.
Women & Children First
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
You don't buy a vacuum that often if you are lucky. The couple that owns this place carry the most effective models for you dollar. They are happy to talk through what you will be using it for, and demonstrate anything you want to see. You will certa...
Park Ridge Vacuum
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
This place is the most fun! you never know what they are going to have because they buy and sell continuously. It's small, and you need to check you bag (mostly so you don't knock anything off the shelves), but it's full of treasures and treats!
Juju's Vintage Chicago Vintage Costume Jewelry & Clothing
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
This is a really great comic book and gaming store. The owner is very knowledgeable and can order you anything. The store is bright, clean, and colorful. They have tables for gaming and host game nights.
Heroines and Heroes
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
Local Midwestern (Indiana) perfumer. Her fragrances are a little Avant Garde with unique scent notes. Take a peek at her website. The fragrances may intrigue you. They are filled with Allie's memories and passion. I recommend getting a discovery kit ...
Pearfat Parfum
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
Local Chicago indie perfume brand. Famous for unique scents. “Warm Bulb” is well regarded by people who find that warm, dusty lightbulb fragrance a little comforting and who are very interested in the it can be so realistic. Dandelion Butter was rele... Do an inline search for locations in other cities.
Clue Perfumery
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
This is a small online perfume business. They do everything by hand. The fragrances are long-lasting (mostly) oils, The people are very nice.  Because they are a small business, they go out of stock frequently, but restock on Fridays, so you can almost always come back to get what appeals to you. Love them!
ZomethingStrange
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
This is my all time favorite perfume brand. It's run by 2 sisters. They have grown substantially in the last year and I have been along for the ride the entire way.  In the last year, there have been at least 3 major releases of 3 fragrances each, they have upgraded their bottles and packaging, added 10 ml and 50 ml bottles to their original 30 ml bottles and are very affordable. I adore Cloudbreath, Prairie, Fev...
Maison des Animaux Fragrances

Services

We moved to Chicagoland in 2021 and needed to do a lot around the house. We also love to tailor our clothes for perfect fit.  Enjoy these service providers with the knowledge that they've been vetted.

 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
Tailors who do custom outfits (some specialization in weddings, but not only weddings), alterations on existing clothes, and consultations. They are super inclusive and very kind and accommodating. My partner has had two full suits made, I've had one...
Uncommon Closet, LLC
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
If you have an electric car or stove, I can recommend this company. They did the electric for our Solar Panels, Tesla Wall battery, car chargers, and for our electric stove. Their quality work has resulted in fantastic savings over time for us by hel...
Kapital Electric, Inc.
 
Ellen Beckmann profile picture
When we bought our home, we hired Park's to do overhead sewer installation, to eliminate city sewer backload. Our basement has been completely dry for 4 years, and they we fantastic about closing up their work areas and restoring the section of the y...
Parks' Plumbing & Sewer, Inc.